In Skagway we overlooked the Helicopter port for shore excursions, this was great fun watching those little red copters fly in and out all day. Watch migrating humpback whales from the deck of a catamaran or Native craftsman carve a traditional totem pole, and expand your Alaska cruise experience. They tend to have a stabilizing system that keeps the ship in place despite the ocean swells. Thus, as most of the sailors were right handed, the steering oar used to control the ship was located over or through the right side of the stern. The Royal Caribbean or Harmony of the Seas cruise ships offer fantastic Alaskancruisesthat can provide top-notch entertainment, magnificent live views from any suite stateroom, and virtual balconies. The ships rarely sail "coastal" any more, and the "inside passage" sailing, has land on both sides. There are a large number of long-time cruisers who love the aft cruise ship staterooms. No matter which part of the ship you choose, youll have a wonderful time seeing all that Alaska has to offer. This is especially nice when leaving or arriving at a port. For the southbound itineraries I prefer the port side as there's a lot more open water to see while in the inside passage. Because the aft cruise ship cabins have the largest balconies, some that wrap around the side of the ship. When sailing round trip to Alaska from Seattle or Vancouver, youll see different parts of the coast at different times, so either starboard or port side is just fine. You can have a view from your balcony without having to changeclothesand be forced to stay among other spectators. Ketchikan - runner up for best overall + best shopping Skagway - best shore excursion Haines - best weather and kayaking Sitka - best Alaska cruise port to explore on your own Icy Strait Point/Hoonah - most unique port in Alaska Other ports (Wrangell, Petersburg, Victoria, Anchorage/Whittier/Seward) The question many want to know before booking an Alaskan cruise is which side of it is best? A ship may dock on the starboard side one time and on the port side another time, even at the same port. From this, we can deduce that most people prefer being on the right side of the ship. Check the itinerary map and choose accordingly. You are going to neither College Fjords or Glacier Bay, where the port side is significantly better with the commentary. The harbormaster at each port decides who goes where and in what attitude according to the other traffic in the port on a given day. These are called closed-loop cruises or roundtrip sailings. A ship may dock on the starboard side one time and on the port side another time, even at the same port. You can always choose to dine in your stateroom so you get a front-row view every night. Set sail from Seattle on a seven-night cruise to visit Juneau, Sitka and Skagway. By the way, if RCCL has a "leg up" on other cruise ships in Alaska, could you point to me to the next RCCL cruise visiting Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve? When you book round-trip cruises from Seattle to Alaska, you'll sail on Celebrity Solstice, the debut ship of Celebrity's award-winning Solstice class. During your Alaska cruise, explore the Yukon's pristine wilderness, pan for gold with professionals or meet sled dog puppies in training. Not only did they not know what that meant (not big boaters! Theres nothing inherently better about either the port side or the starboard side of a cruise ship. However, there were other considerations and hence, my choice. The best side of the ship for your cabin depends on what kind of cruise youll be taking and what youd like to get out of your adventure. These cabins are ideal for Alaskan cruises, as the incredible scenery is a significant part of the trip. Be among the first to know about special offers, exclusive sailings, and much more. For example, in Skagway a ship may dock at the ORE dock (the one overlooking the helicopters that Ashland described) on one trip, but at the RR dock on the opposite side of the harbor on its next trip. Alaska Cruise Vacations can be anywhere from 6 - 30 days depending on how much you want to do and see, how much time you have, and how much you want to spend. View cruises from Seattle | View Seattle shore excursions | Learn more about Seattle. This is why ships are using the terms port and starboard. which side of ship for alaska cruise - seattlelimoservice.net If youre cruising on a budget, an interior or portside cabin will give you more money to spend when youre in a city or town or on excursions that arent part of the cruise price. Icebergs and harbor seals decorate the water below while Dawes Glacier soars into the sky above. They include Skagway and Sitka, which are two of the most famous Alaskan destinations. Perhaps the more important question to ask when deciding which side of the ship youd like your cabin to be on is what kind of cruise will you be taking?. It just depends on personal preference and where you would feel most comfortable. However, if you dont mind a little bit of rocking and prefer to get better views, youll want to aim for the top of the ship. With Cook My Catch excursions, catch your own salmon or halibut with the help of a local expert, and in the evening our talented chefs will prepare your haul for your dinner a Princess exclusive. Most people prefer the left (port) side going southbound, because there are more views of land (the other side is great for ocean sunsets.) . There will be lectures and experts on board to maximize your experience. Best Cruises to Alaska. Best time to cruise the Mediterranean | Cruise.Blog On the port side as you sail through Queen Charlotte Sound and Dixon Entrance you will be several hours in each case without scenery. These face the middle of the ship and have no windows to the outside. Which one is better? Shore excursions cost extra, though: from $50 (attraction) to $150 (raft/boat tour) or even $500 and up (helicopter tour).